Sheikh Ali Zahir bin Saeed Qasim says that SMS votes run as promotions that benefit one party is a form of lottery.
Speaking in the Ihya forum organized by Islamic Ministry the Sheikh said that even though many forms of such activities are run under various names, they are all forms of lottery.
“There may be a question, a very easy one that everyone knows. Purpose is to make many people SMS and reap the profits. It’s not permitted in Islam,”
He said that such promotions were run at inflated prices, with some sending even a 100 SMS. At times, the sheikh said the promotion is won by the person who had sent in the most SMS.
The Sheikh said that such transactions were banned in Islam and urged all to refrain from participating in such promotions. He also said such promotions should not be carried out in the Maldives.